We developed a new alloy fin stock for automobile heat exchangers. The new stock excels in properties necessary for making thinner fin stocks. At a thickness of 0.05 mm, this Al-Si-Fe-Mn-Zn alloy fin stock's tensile strength after brazing is about 130 MPa, and its electrical conductivity is about 50% IACS. In contrast, conventional 3000-series alloy fin stocks have a tensile strength of about 110 MPa and electrical conductivity below 40% IACS. Therefore, the tensile strength of the new alloy fin stock is much higher than that of typical Al-Mn alloy fin stocks, while the thermal conductivity is comparable to that of commercial pure Al fin stocks. In addition, corrosion resistance of the new alloy fin stock is the same as the 3000-series alloy fin stock. These properties occur because intermetallic compounds in the material disperse finely and densely. This alloy is cast using a twin-roll continuous caster.
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